Adventures of “green palms” at Lviv Forestry University

What Secrets Are Trees Hiding from Us?

Indeed, these secrets are fascinating — and there are many of them!

On June 13, students from Kamianka-Buzka Lyceum No. 2 named after Hryhorii Tiutiunnyk and Lyceum No. 3 explored, discovered, were amazed, and inspired by these secrets during interactive workshops and excursions held at the campus of the National Forestry University of Ukraine. With the support of Swiss Krono, we continue conducting eco-educational lessons for schoolchildren from Kamianka-Buzka to foster environmental awareness and practical skills in interacting with nature.

The first discoveries awaited the children at the Wood Museum of the National Forestry University. This is a truly unique museum — not just for Ukraine but globally, as there is only one other like it in Japan. It features a one-of-a-kind collection of wood from around the world and wooden items used by people throughout history and today. Some exhibits are over 100 years old, and the museum itself has existed for more than 30 years.

• What did the old Lviv wooden pipeline look like?

• What kind of wood and appearance does the timber from a Cossack boat "Chaika" (found near the Zaporizhzhia Sich on the Dnipro River) have?

• What does a fossilized thousand-year-old tree feel like to the touch?

• How do trees communicate, and how do people communicate thanks to trees?

• What else does the forest give us besides wood?

Children discovered all this and much more in a place filled with so much amazing wood that you could listen to its stories for hours.

🎁 As a delightful bonus, the children received souvenirs made from Hutsul wood — whistle keychains they enthusiastically tested both individually and as a group!

Next, from the ninth floor of the university building, the students enjoyed a panoramic view of the city, trying to spot the spire of their hometown Kamianka-Buzka — located 50 km away. Sadly, they didn’t quite manage to find it 😄

Their next adventure took them to a chemistry lab, where they imagined themselves as students conducting fun experiments. Under the attentive guidance of Professor Mykhailo Fedyna, Head of the Chemistry Department, they performed several exciting demonstrations. The highlight? A "volcano" experiment — with bright sparks and clouds of smoke — that thrilled the young scientists with its dazzling effect.

The third place of discovery was the Forestry Botanical Garden, where the children learned about:

• a poisonous tree;

• why kiwi vines bloom but don’t bear fruit;

• a “tree-strangler” liana, which can choke its host tree while displaying beautiful flowers;

• and a tree that produces usable wood just 7–10 years after planting.

The garden also features plants from North America, Japan, and China, including the Ginkgo biloba, tulip trees, and magnolias.

Enriched with new knowledge and impressions, we said goodbye — with plans to meet again in September when the new school year begins. And then... the children went to McDonald’s 😄

The project “GREEN HANDS: Preserving Forest Ecosystems through Energetic, Thoughtful Learning and Action — Forest Education Initiatives” is implemented by the NGO LIiS with the support of Swiss Krono LLC and in partnership with Kamianka-Buzka Lyceum No. 1 named after Ivan Franko, Lyceum No. 2 named after Hryhorii Tiutiunnyk, and Lyceum No. 3.